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Col du Truges - February 2022...

More 2022 Beaujolais – 37 more domaines online

Col du Truges - February 2022...

I promised you that to avoid such a long wait I’d get more reports up weekly for the February Report – there’s always plenty of Beaujolais – and why not in such a splendid vintage!(?)

So here are another 37 domaines in Part 2: February Report

That’s 60 domaine visits in the February report so far – I think with about another 20 still to add – plus of course, my 2022 Beaujolais – Vintage summary – probably all online week of the 8th of April – as I’ll be tied up with visits for next week.

Enjoy Easter !!

wines - week 12 2024

Some weekend wine – week 12 2024

wines - week 12 2024

A slightly green weekend !!

2021 Chateau Thivin, Côte de Brouilly La Chapelle
This La Chapelle was the least green of all Thivin’s 2021s as tasted at the domain. But on this day, the pyrazine was quite pronounced. It didn’t work for me…
Rebuy – No

2019 Armand Heitz, St.Aubin 1er Murgers des Dents du Chien – Rouge!
I think that this is the only red from this vineyard – which presumably is what prompted them to write monopole on the label. I would understand ‘monopole’ if this was a Clos within the vineyard – and so named – but only for a colour change I’m surprised it’s allowed. So, a monopoly for sure – but a monopole?
Sealed with an impressive DIAM10 which is probably the reason that it starts a little reduced – 5 minutes later and all is good though. Deeply coloured – and a nose with lots of dark cherry freshness and even a suggestion of rolling tobacco. In the mouth, we have concentration and fluidity – such that there is only a modest generosity – but what deliciousness, accented with a modest sucrosity! The fruit flavours mirror the nose with dark cherry. It gives me the feeling that I’m tasting a red from a white terroir – like a Pernand red too – but this is simply excellent. I didn’t buy enough!!
Rebuy – Yes

And the 2004 project? Some you win, some you lose!

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Catching up #3 – A Chablis Encore & the Burgundy water-table…

In January, I really didn’t have enough time in 3 weeks to visit all the Chablis domaines – or at least all the ones in my current list as it now extends to over 100 domaines! So I was back in ‘the north’ in March – with another trip planned for May!

In May, I’ll be mixing it up with a few visits in Irancy too.

La Chapelle de Vaupelteigne - March 2024
The view to La Chapelle de Vaupelteigne

On the Sunday I was in the Côte d’Or and I have to say that the flatter vineyards in the Côte de Beaune looked ready for ducks – there were a lot of vine ‘feet’ under water. Whilst the water in Chablis’ river Serein looked high on Monday, I still wasn’t prepared for the road closures on Tuesday as the river burst its banks to fill many of the flood-plains in the area. The rain hadn’t been so heavy in Chablis, rather in the surrounding Morvan countryside – as much as 70-80 miles away – and it takes about 3 days for the floodwaters to rise in Chablis.

Chablis itself wasn’t too badly affected but the village of La Chapelle de Vaupelteigne (above) was under water – only partly accessible for me by taking a route descending the hillside from Beine.

The weather calmed – indeed this week we have sunshine in Beaune – it’s a nice change! For now, Burgundians can’t right now complain about a lack of water – it’s double what was seen at the same stage in 2022 and 2023 – but instead they can complain that it’s 22°C in the afternoon 🙂

Beaujolais - Feb 2022

February’s Burgundy Report – Part 1

Beaujolais - Feb 2022Here

As promised, the first part of my 2022 Beaujolais Report.

I visited about 80 domaines in February, all of which will be included in my final February report. To avoid long periods with no obvious new content, I’ll be updating this report weekly with another tranche of finished visit reports – so check back in another week when I’ll have over 50 reports completed.

Just to keep me busy, I’ve another 20+ Beaujolais visits to do in April! It’s a great vintage in Beaujolais – but only on the completion of the full February report, will I include my 2022 Beaujolais vintage summary.

Enjoy!

Hide !! 2004 !!

Catching up #2 – Transport & some bottles…

It had to happen; after 19 years and 603k kilometres – bye-bye Scooby 2.

But all hail Scooby 3!

Scooby 2 was as strong as an ox – drivetrain – but 19x European salt-infused winters had left its corrosive mark on the underbelly of the car. Couple that to an almost certain cylinder head-gasket and timing chain replacement interval this year – the cost would have a multiple of multiples more than the worth of the car. It was time. My local dealer, for a time, will even display Scooby 2 in his showroom with a big sign proclaiming the mileage!

So Scooby 3: adaptive cruise, lane assist and so many other things ‘alien’ to me make for an annoying cacophony of beeps whilst underway – but I’m sure they will make me drive better – eventually! Plus there’s 35% lower fuel costs too. I don’t yet love Scooby 3 – but I have some grudging respect 🙂

WINE !!
You’ll be relieved to hear that, yes, there has been some!

I’ve only just opened the first of over a dozen bottles but my 20 years-on 2004 project has now opened – I’ll only publish my notes when all have been broached – wish me luck!

There have been others too. Some I took notes, others I left it too long so I can only remember if it was good, great or simply meh – but not give you a note. Anyway, how about starting with a small 2019-a-thon?:

2019 Frédéric Berne, Régnié Aux Bruyères
Oooh… A cushioned dark red fruit aroma to sink into, subtly with some graphite accents. In the mouth we have impressive scale – detail too – this is supple but also finely shaped. Great 2019s are ultra-wines – and here is one – Yes!
Rebuy – Yes

2019 Albert Grivault, Pommard 1er Clos Blanc
Dark, almost some old oak – a sweetness of red fruit too. Hmm, This melts over the palate, dark red fruit, sweetness. A full wine – deep and satisfying. Still plenty of barrel flavour and modest bitters too. Young oak but open and delicious.
Rebuy – Maybe

2019 Albert Morot, Beaune 1er Aigrots
A deep, dark dirty oak – it’s really attractive! – slowly with air, rounding and becoming more fruited. Hmm, this is direct and mouth-watering – super texture, Supple, concentrated – that’s got energy and flavour dimension. It’s a great Beaune!
Rebuy – Yes

2019 Digioia-Royer, Chambolle-Musigny
Plenty of colour. Higher-toned aromatic – airy, with implied silk, some violet flowers. Large scale, structured but nothing hard – no less intensity than the 1ers – the finish here is the youngest of all with plenty of oak bitters but what a delicious wine – and probably longer lived, it’s certainly younger, than the two from the Côte de Beaune.
Rebuy – Yes

All the wines show a little of their elevage but that’s three delicious wines. And the others:

2020 Jean Dauvissat, Chablis 1er Côte de Lechet
What a delicious wine. Textural, generous too – possibly a bit too much of both for Chablis – but ultra-delicious wine!
Rebuy – Yes

2021 Gautheron, Chablis 1er Montmains Vieilles-Vignes
Oh god that’s so good, so fine, so precice – so ‘one less bottle that I have in the cellar!!’
Rebuy – Yes

1985 Guillermard-Dupont, Pommard
A very oxidative smelling cork disintegrates during the removal process. Of course the last third drops into the wine – but how is the wine? Actually, it starts balsamic, but just gets better – I drink a glass on each of three consecutive nights – the wine staying (glass) stoppered in the fridge – and it’s just so robust and tasty. I think I may have 2-3 more bottles of this. More care and planning required for the next cork!
Rebuy – No chance

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Catching up #1 – Beaujolais Reporting

So a couple of days of typing this week, post week number 4 in Chablis – but for now, let’s just talk about up-and-coming Beaujolais reporting.

Like in Chablis, there will be another week of visits in Beaujolais, as three weeks just doesn’t cut it in either place anymore – I’ve over 100 domaines to visit in both regions. But more visits means less time to type – such is life.

So I don’t want subscribers to wait around too long for reports just because I’m doing more. So I plan to split February’s monthly (Beaujolais) report into about 3 weekly issues until all is complete – then there is less tumbleweed on the site. As soon as at least 20 of the 80 visits are publishable, I’ll do that and let everyone know on the WhatsApp group (top right of this page) – and of course, with a post here.

Only to say, that at this stage of the wines’ lives – I think the greatest quality/value to be found in 2022 comes in Beaujolais – only a teaser 🙂

Latest Burgundy Reports

02-2024

Beaujolais - Feb 2022

The February 2024 issue of Burgundy-Report
The sixth of my larger reports with a 2022 focus:
Part 6 Beaujolais

First a quick three from the Côte de Nuits:
François Millet et Fils – 2022
Les Astrelles – 2022
Marc Roy – 2022

The Producers (PART 1)
Overwhelmingly tasting their 2022s – in Beaujolais
More to come each week so you don't have to wait so long for new content…

New here:
Château Cambon – 2022
de Colonat – 2022
de Valma 2022
Léonis – 2022

Back again, roughly alphabetically:
Bertrand – 2022
Chamonard – 2022
Château des Bachelards – 2021 & 2022
Château Moulin à Vent – 2022
Chignard – 2022
Clos de la Roilette – 2022
Daniel Bouland – 2022
Dupré Goujon – 2021 (mainly)
J.M Aujoux – 2022
Jean-Marc Burgaud – 2022
Laurent Gauthier – 2022
Laurent Martray – 2022
Les Capreoles – 2022
Raphaël Chopin – 2022
Tano Péchard – 2022
Thomas Rivier – 2022
Vincent Audras – 2022

PART 2…

New here:
des 2 Fontaines – 2022
L’Arbuissonnière – 2022
Mont Bessay – 2022

Back again, roughly alphabetically:
Anthony Perol – 2022
Antoine Sunier – 2022
Aurélie & Fabien Romany – 2022
Celia & David Large – 2022
Château Bellevue – 2022
Château Bonnet – 2022
Château de Javernand – 2022
Château de La Terrière – 2022
Château de Vaux – 2022
Château des Jacques – 2022
Château Poncié – 2022
Claire & Fabien Chasselay – 2022
David-Beaupère – 2022
de Baluce – 2022
de Boischampt – 2022
de La Grand’Cour – 2022
de la Milleranche – 2022
des Nugues – 2022
des Prévelières – 2022
des Terres Dorées – 2022
Girin – 2022
Jean-Claude Lapalu – 2022
La Pirolette – 2022
Le Nid – 2022
Michel & Sylvain Tête – 2022
Pascal Aufranc – 2022
Paul-André Brossette & Fils – 2022
Pauline Passot – 2022
Richard Rottiers – 2022
Robert Perroud – 2022
Romanesca – 2022
Saint-Cyr – 2022
Thillardon – 2022
Vignerons des Pierres Dorées – 2022

01-2024

Chablis Grand Cru Grenouilles 2022

The January 2024 issue of Burgundy-Report
The fifth of my larger reports with a 2022 focus:
Part 5 Chablis

My summary report:
2022 Chablis: The sunniest vintage – My Summary

And 100 wines blind tasted as a warm-up
43x Irancy 2022 – Blind Tasted
57x 2022 Petit Chablis – Blind Tasted

The Producers
Overwhelmingly tasting their 2022s – in Chablis

New here:
Régnard – 2022

Back again, roughly alphabetically:
Agnes, Didier & Florent Dauvissat – 2022
Alain Geoffroy – 2022
Alice & Olivier De Moor – 2022
Beaufumé – 2022
Bernard Defaix – 2022
Besson – 2022
Camille & Laurent Schaller – 2022
Céline & Frédéric Gueguen – 2022
Côte de Fasse – 2022
Charly Nicolle – 2022
Christophe Camu – 2022
Clotilde Davenne – 2022
Corine et Jean-Pierre Grossot – 2022
Courtault-Michelet – 2022
Cyril Gautheron – 2022
Daniel Séguinot – 2022
Daniel, Sébastien & Vincent Dampt – 2022
de la Tour – 2022
des Hâtes – 2022
Des Quatre Chemins – 2022 (+ 2021)
des Trois V – 2022
Domaine du Chardonnay – 2022
Drouhin Vaudon – 2022
Eléonore Moreau – Domaine des Pérégrins – 2022
François Raveneau – 2022
Garnier & Fils – 2022
Gérard Tremblay – 2022
Guillaume Vrignaud – 2022
Hamelin – 2022
Isabelle & Denis Pommier – 2022
J Moreau & Fils – 2022
Jean Durup et Fils – 2022
Jean Jacquin – 2022
Jean-Marc Brocard – 2022
Jolly & Fils – 2022
La Chablisienne – 2022
La Motte – 2022
Laurent Tribut – 2022
Louis Michel – 2022
Louis Moreau – 2022
Maison Henry – 2022
Malandes – 2022
Milcent – 2022
Millet – 2022
Notton – 2022
Orion – 2022
Oudin – 2022
Passy le Clou – 2022
Pattes Loup – incl 2022 Irancy
Pinson – 2022
Roland Lavantureux – 2022
Roy – 2022
Séguinot-Bordet – 2022
Servin – 2022
Simonnet-Febvre – 2022
Soupé – 2022
Sylvain Mosnier – 2022
Testut – 2022
Thomas Ventoura – 2022
Vincent Dauvissat – 2022
Vincent Wengier – 2022
William Fevre – 2022

You still like to have something touchy?

The Finest Wines of Burgundy

A portable, hard-wearing guide to the Côte d’Or plus 90 producers of note and their best wines. Truth be told, there should have been 150 great producers – but not in the 320 pages that were prescribed.
It’s probably time to start working on a new one – eh?

Burgundy Report

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